Chapter 26 – Battle of Mana (part 2)

Inside the dungeon

The air inside is thick, like a beast’s breath. Faint blue torches flicker on the walls, shadows stretching long as Kline and the others sprint deeper into the labyrinth.

“Jeez…” Kline mutters between breaths, adjusting his alchemist’s satchel as glass vials clink together. His lips curl into a wry smile. “As expected from Randy… when he says it’s gonna be a riot, he means it.”

“Hah!” Valga cracks his knuckles, the grin on his face wild. “Nothing like a warm-up before the real battle! My fists are itching already!” He swings one hand like he’s boxing shadows while running, each punch sending little gusts through the stale air.

Helvos, panting lightly behind them, keeps glancing at the glowing inscriptions lining the walls. His scholarly calm contrasts sharply with Valga’s brawler energy. “So it’s true…” he mutters, awe in his tone. “This dungeon was designed to create a pincer maneuver—to split the nation, force them into two fronts. If that’s true… then you guys are amazing.”

Kline smirks without slowing. “Nope. Don’t thank us. Thank Randy. He’s the one who saw through this mess before anyone else. To be honest…” he shakes his head, almost laughing, “…even I didn’t expect he’d already predicted all of this.”

A deafening boom shakes the cavern, dust showering over them. The dungeon walls groan, and glowing cracks begin to crawl along the stone floor.

“Oi, oi, oi! Don’t tell me this whole place is collapsing already?!” Valga yells, but his grin only widens, excitement sparking in his eyes.

“Less talking, more running!” Kline snaps.

And then—
They skid to a stop.

Dungeon Raid – Behemoth’s Shadow

At the end of the dungeon, a massive archway towers above them, pulsing with violet light. The portal hums like a living thing, its resonance making the air in their lungs vibrate painfully. The glow paints their faces in sickly hues.

Valga lets out a low whistle. “Well… guess we found our exit.”

“No…” Kline mutters, his single visible eye narrowing as a cold shiver runs down his spine. “That’s not just an exit.”

Helvos adjusts his glasses, face paling as he reads the runes swirling across the arch. “…That portal doesn’t lead out. It leads to them.”

Silence. The kind of silence before a storm.

Then Valga cracks his neck, fists tightening with excitement.
“Perfect. I was hoping for a good fight.”

Kline doesn’t waste a second. He slams the butt of his staff into the ground, runes sparking to life. “Two golems—set the charges!”

The stone constructs obey immediately, their heavy steps echoing as they lumber forward with barrels of volatile powder. Just as the portal’s light begins to flare, an army of goblins bursts through, snarling and howling. At their head—something monstrous. A goblin chieftain swollen to ogre-like size, tusks dripping with saliva, eyes glowing with malice.

“Here they come!” Helvos cries.

“Stand your ground!” Kline roars, cloak whipping around him. The goblin horde surges forward, only for him to slam his staff again. Sparks fly, racing toward the barrels. His voice booms like thunder.

“Krob shakka drakka!!!”

With his left hand, he claws out his false eye, biting down on his tongue for blood as catalyst. The runes blaze.

He turns and sprints. “MOVE!”

The explosion follows an instant later—

BAAAAAAOOOOOM!!!!

The entire dungeon shakes. Fire and dust erupt through the portal chamber, a tidal wave of heat that blasts them forward. The group is thrown to the ground, ears ringing. When the smoke clears, the floor is littered with mangled goblin corpses, limbs twisted and bodies charred. The giant chieftain’s head rolls across the stone, stopping at Valga’s boots.

Valga lets out a bark of laughter. “Damn, Randy! Looks like your little brainiac here’s got bite after all!”

Kline exhales, sweat dripping down his brow. He spits blood, then steadies himself. “Enough talk… Randy’s still out there. We move!”

“Alright everyone—CHARGE!!!”

“URAAAAHHH!!!” The knights and adventurers scream as they pour out of the dungeon, rushing across the hills. The battlefield spreads before them like a nightmare painting—burning skies, shattered walls, the Behemoth Land Battleship crawling like a mountain with cannons for teeth.

And at its heart—Randy, a streak of light weaving through flak and fire.

Lord Devonshire turns, relief washing over his tired face. “Finally… you all have returned!”

“Yeah!” Valga grins, throwing an arm around Kline. “And it’s thanks to this guy here!”

But Kline doesn’t hear him. His single eye locks onto Randy’s machine darting around the battleship. He points at the towering behemoth.

“Come on! Randy needs help!”

The golems lumber forward, hauling the remaining bombs. Under the cover of chaos, Kline leads them straight to the Behemoth’s side. Its size is overwhelming—like storming a moving mountain. But its speed is sluggish, its blind spots wide.

In the smoke and fire, they slip aboard unnoticed.

Kline raises his staff, voice low. “Alright… we’re in.” He grips his communicator.
“Randy! It’s Kline—I’m inside!”

Static crackles, then Randy’s voice bursts through, strained but alive.
“About time…!! Wait up—I’m coming from above! I see the bridge!!”

Suddenly, the comm is drowned out by gunfire. The thunder of machine cannons shakes the entire hull.

“Alright, listen!” Randy’s voice cuts through the noise, urgent. “We meet at the center. We blow this bastard sky high!”

“Got it.” Kline clenches his teeth, rallying the golems.

Outside the Behemoth

Alfian charges like a raging beast, fists a blur of steel and fury. “BITCH!!! You turned me into an ugly monster—never telling me the truth!!!”

Verica dances around him, her death scythe gleaming in the firelight. She laughs, sultry and cruel, clutching her chest mockingly. “Haaaah… and yet, you liked it, didn’t you? Don’t lie to yourself, Alfian.”

His roar drowns her words as he drives forward, fists hammering like a machine gun. “I’LL TURN YOU TO MUSH!!!”

Raul moves in beside him, shield raised, sword flashing. “How could you betray us, Verica!? After everything—we trusted you!!”

“Trusted me?” Verica tilts her head, smirking. “How weak.”

Her body flickers. In an instant, she vanishes, reappearing behind Raul. The death scythe sings. SHHHK! Blood sprays as Raul crashes to the ground.

“RAUL!!!” Alfian bellows, fury redoubling.

Raul grits his teeth, forcing himself to rise, blood streaming down his side. “I wield justice… and I will not fall… until you are defeated!!!”

Verica’s laughter pierces the battlefield. “Justice? Don’t make me laugh. You’re just an easy prey.”

She swings again—

—but Marlisa rushes in, eyes blazing. She thrusts out her staff, voice ringing with divine power.
“Iomlán slànachadh!!!”

Light engulfs Raul, his wounds sealing instantly. He gasps, looking at her. “Thank you… now let me lead the charge!”

“FOCUS!” Marlisa snaps back, frustration in her tone. “We can’t afford reckless heroics—”

But Raul shakes his head, sword shining with righteous energy. “No. You heal the others. I’ll take down their leader.”

Before she can protest, Raul raises his shield and charges Verica again. Alfian roars, fists swinging wildly, joining him.

From behind, Marian pulls Marlisa back. “Forget him. He won’t listen. We need to heal the wounded.”

“…Always the dumb leader,” Marlisa mutters under her breath, eyes never leaving Raul as he hurls himself at Verica once more.

Inside the behemoth—

I strip off my heavy armor, switching into something lighter, my gear clinking faintly in the eerie metal corridors. A Winchester rifle slings across my back, pistol holstered at my side. Uncle’s voice echoes in my head, mixed with the sharp, disciplined tone of the King of Malaysia during training. Close Quarters Combat… I’ve drilled this a thousand times.

Flashbangs, grenades, smokes—all clipped to my vest. I roll my shoulders, grip the hilt of my blade. Heart’s pounding, but my steps are silent.

Then I rush in.

The demons spot me—horns glinting, their strange rifles raised. But I’m faster. I kick off the wall, blade flashing like a silver fang. One demon’s throat opens, another drops from a kick to the knee before I slam a knife into his chest.

“Looks like demon soldiers… and they’re packing firearms too,” I mutter, ducking behind a bulkhead as bullets rip through the steel.

I grin despite myself. “Damn… this really does feel like a game I played before.”

I throw a flashbang. BANG! Their screeches echo. I dart through the white haze, slicing them down like a ninja dancing in the storm. Blood spatters across my lighter armor, but I don’t slow down.

The corridors twist. Strange glowing words are etched into the walls, guiding deeper into the beast. I brush my fingers across the inscription—ancient script. My breath catches.

“…Uncle taught me this… Akkadian.” My lips form the word. “Muštēmiḫu. Reactor.”

My eyes narrow. “The engine room… I’ve found it.”

I break into a sprint, blasting through more demon troops. Some are twisted like elves with blackened skin, others hulking like ogres, their roars shaking the metal halls. My rifle barks, each shot clean, precise—head, chest, heart. My blade finishes what bullets can’t.

Meanwhile—

Kline is bracing behind me, his alchemy glowing in frantic bursts. He fuses runes onto chunks of iron, turning them into makeshift grenades. BOOM! The hallway erupts, shaking dust from the ceiling.

“Dammit, this is hard!!” Kline yells, sweat dripping as he slams his palm onto the golem’s back, pushing more power into it. The massive construct swings its arm, smashing demons like ragdolls, buying us time.

The tide doesn’t stop. More demons pour in, their roars and gunfire echoing through the metallic halls.

Kline grits his teeth, forcing his battered golem forward. The construct’s arms swing wide, crushing demon soldiers like dolls, but the horde doesn’t thin.

“HEY!!! You with the bomb pack!!” Kline screams, his face wild, voice carrying over the cacophony. “We’ll hold this line! You move forward—otherwise we’re all going to heaven together when that thing blows!!”

His words cut through the chaos like a whip crack. The golem lurches ahead, shielding Kline as he seizes his opening. He slams his hand to a vial, transmuting it into a makeshift bomb. It explodes against a group of demon soldiers, sending black ichor spraying across the wall.

“Good—keep them busy!” Kline shouts, his hands moving frantically. Two golems charge into the fray, their hulking bodies colliding with the horde. “Come on!!! While they hold them off—”

He sprints down the corridor, following glowing runes etched into the wall. His eyes sharpen the moment he recognizes the script. “There… Akkadian… Reactor chamber. That’s it. Come on!!”

On the Battlefield

The war outside burns brighter than hell itself. Luna’s sword gleams like silver lightning as she dances through the endless wave of demons. Each strike is elegant, each step flawless—yet the tide never ends. Her chest rises and falls, but her eyes remain fierce.

Then—everything changes.

The battlefield grows colder. A ripple of power silences the roar of combat for a heartbeat. Shadows twist, swallowing the light.

From the veil of darkness steps a woman.

Tall, elegant, terrifying. Cloaked in black armor that shimmers faintly with violet light. A long staff pulses in her grip like a living thing, and her eyes burn with cruel amusement.

Seraphina skids to Luna’s side, her spear raised. Her tail lashes behind her, tense. Her voice trembles, though her stance never falters.
“Impossible… that’s Nyx.”

Luna blinks. “…You know her?”

Seraphina’s knuckles whiten around her spear. “She isn’t just any commander… Nyx is one of King Azrael’s strongest generals. Her right hand.”

The name alone freezes the nearby soldiers. Even the demon army parts, bowing their heads as Nyx strides forward, her smirk widening.

“So…” Her voice is silk over steel. “Seems like I see the airship is here must be you people are the one that responsible eh?”

Her staff hums with violet energy. “Shall we play?”

Luna doesn’t hesitate. “Seraphina—together!”

She charges, blade glowing with holy light. The strike sings through the air—only to clash against a shimmering forcefield. The impact shakes the earth.

“She blocked it—just like that?!” Luna growls.

Seraphina roars and thrusts her spear, only for Nyx’s staff to shift, folding into a sleek battle staff. With fluid, dancer-like movements, she counters each strike with ease. Sparks scatter with every clash.

Nyx laughs softly. “Impressive magic work. But sloppy.”

She spins, her staff a blur, and in one swift motion knocks Seraphina back while sweeping at Luna.

But Luna’s eyes blaze. She plants her feet, magic surging through her veins. “Soilseachadh lámhach!!”

Light bursts along her blade as she thrusts, a radiant spear of moonlight shooting straight at Nyx.

But Nyx twirls aside with terrifying grace. “Easy.” Her heel slams into Luna’s stomach, sending her flying. She crashes into the dirt, coughing blood.

“LUNA!!” Seraphina shouts, fury burning in her eyes as she rushes forward.

Before Nyx can finish her, an arrow whistles through the air. She lazily tilts her head, the shaft grazing her cheek.

From above, a familiar figure lands with a flourish—Elysia. Her bow is already drawn, blades glinting at her hips. Her stance radiates raw confidence.

“You won’t face her alone.” Elysia smirks, nocking another arrow.

The three form a line, their breaths sharp, their eyes locked on Nyx.

Nyx floats above them, violet wings unfurling, her aura suffocating. Her form shimmers, ribbons of dark energy wrapping around her body until she resembles a twisted, radiant mahou shoujo, mocking beauty with horror.

Her laugh rings out, melodic and cruel. “Three against one? How delightful. Don’t disappoint me.”

She dives, staff blazing with dark fire.

The clash explodes into brilliance—Luna’s blade, Seraphina’s spear, Elysia’s arrows, all colliding with Nyx’s staff in a storm of sparks. Steel, light, and magic whirl together in a deadly dance.

Nyx’s grin only grows wider. “Yes… YES! This is fun!”

Elysia dashes forward, her arrows loosed point-blank, weaving them with short-sword strikes. She manages to push Nyx back a single step.

The witch licks her lips, thrilled. “Interesting combo… never seen humans fight like this.” Her laughter shakes the battlefield, wild and ecstatic. “And it’s getting me EXCITED!! HAHAHAHA!!”

The battlefield trembles as steel and magic clash. Luna, Seraphina, and Elysia move as one, their strikes weaving like threads of light against the darkness that is Nyx.

The witch laughs, twirling her staff—only for it to split apart and reform into a triple nunchaku, each end glowing with violet fire. Chains whip and sing through the air as she spins them with terrifying speed, deflecting arrows, blades, and spears in a storm of sparks.

“Three against one and you still can’t touch me? How disappointing!” Nyx teases, her skirt swirling as she pirouettes like a deadly ballerina.

But in the midst of her smile, her thoughts drift back.

Flashback – Northern Palace

The once-mighty throne hall lies in ruins, smoke rising from shattered marble. King Azrael sits upon his scorched throne, his crimson cloak dragging across the floor like spilled blood. His eyes blaze with fury.

“Nyx…” His voice is cold steel.

She kneels, feigning obedience, though her grip tightens on her staff. “Yes, my lord?”

“That kingdom that dares defy me…” His glare cuts into her like a blade. “Destroy it. Erase them. Do not fail me again… or you will share their fate.”

For the first time in centuries, Nyx feels her stomach twist. Fear.

“…Understood, my king.”

But in her heart, venom brews. Tch… Stupid king. Why don’t you lead the charge yourself? Lord Xorvath would never waste power like this… at least he had some sense. But Azrael? He’s lost his damn mind.

Back to the Present – Battlefield

Nyx parries Luna’s slash with one chain, blocks Seraphina’s spear with another, and still has enough rhythm to flick Elysia’s arrow out of the air with a smirk.

Her laughter rings. “My, my, you girls are really giving me a workout.”

But her eyes sharpen, betraying a flicker of unease. What happens if we actually lose here…? Jeez. Honestly, I’d rather quit than drag myself back to that lunatic king…

Seraphina snarls, her spear locking against Nyx’s staff. Their faces are inches apart, fangs bared against a sly smile.

“Hey… a Vipernox,” Nyx whispers, eyes glittering with curiosity. “Now that’s interesting.”

Seraphina growls. “Cut the games. Nyx—how is the Northern Kingdom? Still rotting under that tyrant?”

Nyx chuckles, pushing her back with a casual twist. “Boring as hell. Same old madness. How about you?”

“Never been better!!” Seraphina roars, swinging her spear in a dazzling arc. Nyx sways aside, the blade grazing her cheek.

Before the clash escalates, Elysia slides into the fray, loosing an arrow point-blank. “Wait—you two know each other?!”

“Sort of.” Seraphina spits, planting her spear. “She’s not exactly the ‘loyal general’ type.”

“Aw, you flatter me,” Nyx smirks, spinning her nunchaku with lazy elegance. “Honestly, if there’s more fun on your side… maybe I should switch teams.”

Luna bursts in, her blade glowing as she slashes at Nyx. The witch blocks with a chain, smiling wider.

“A cat-folk, huh? Mmm… interesting.” Her gaze flickers with mischief.

“Pull back your troops, Nyx!!” Luna demands, her tail lashing in fury.

Nyx giggles, wagging her finger. “Oh, sweetie… I’m not the one in charge here.”

She suddenly points her nunchaku toward the burning sky. High above, atop the airship’s command deck, a dark figure stands like a queen.

Luna’s eyes widen. “That aura… it can’t be—”

Nyx grins like a fox. “Yep. You guessed it.”

Luna’s voice cracks with disbelief. “Verica!?”

And there she is—Verica, draped in dark regalia, her wings spread wide, eyes glowing like a storm. She descends with regal malice, her blade humming with demonic power.

Below her, Alfian and Raul stand, bloodied but unyielding, their weapons raised.

The battlefield shakes as the stage shifts.

Nyx twirls her nunchaku, humming as though none of this chaos matters. “Well, well… looks like you’ll have to split your dance cards. The final boss has arrived.”

While the three clash against Nyx below, the heavens are burning.

The Skybreaker cuts through the clouds like a beast of war, its cannons roaring and tearing enemy airships apart. One after another, explosions bloom in the sky like deadly fireworks, fragments raining down. The battlefield trembles under the dominance of a single ship.

Elowen grips the wheel, sweat streaking across her cheek as she yells,
“Steady! Don’t let her tilt—hold it right here!!”

Beside her, the golem crew thrum with glowing runes, massive stone arms assisting with levers and mechanisms. Even the Sky Golem unit is unleashed, soaring through the skies like armored hawks, striking enemy airships with crushing blows that shatter steel.

From the deck of an enemy flagship, the captain stares in horror.
“That ship… it’s not just powerful—it’s a monster…”

Before he can even finish his command, a blinding flash erupts.
BOOOOOOM!

His vessel bursts into flames, ripped in half by the Skybreaker’s concentrated volley. The shockwave sends his crew flying, their cries swallowed by fire and steel.

Another officer stumbles onto the bridge, pale and trembling.
“Captain!! The fleet is breaking—ships are retreating!!”

The captain grits his teeth, pride and terror clashing in his chest.
“…Damn it. We can’t hold this line. Fall back…!!”

Far above, Harmonia cheers from the Skybreaker’s deck, wind whipping her hair wildly.
“Hey!! Elowen—look! They’re retreating!! The whole fleet’s pulling back!!”

Elowen smirks, eyes sharp with determination.
“Yeah, but don’t let up! Keep firing until they’re out of range! We’ll make sure they remember this day!!”

The Skybreaker’s cannons thunder again, hurling molten light across the sky. The ship glides almost effortlessly despite the chaos, its armor scarred but barely dented.

Harmonia whistles in disbelief, clutching the railing as the enemy fleet scatters like broken birds.
“Unbelievable… not even a scratch worth worrying about… We’re not just winning—we’re overwhelming them!”

Elowen exhales, her voice hard yet exhilarated.
“Damn right. Guess we’ve finally got a weapon that makes the world tremble…”

Above the clouds, the Skybreaker reigns supreme—a fortress of steel and magic, the beast of the skies. Its cannons blaze, its hull gleams in firelight, and for a moment it feels less like a machine and more like a living legend. The world looks up and sees hope.

From the battlements of the outer wall, Fu Xi watches with his arms crossed, the wind tugging at his battle cloak. His sharp eyes narrow as the Skybreaker’s guns rip another enemy ship apart in midair.

“That… is something,” he mutters, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

Beside him, Gindol can’t hide the tremor in his voice.
“Is… is this victory?”

Before Fu Xi can reply, a messenger runs up, breathless, clutching a sealed scroll.
“Lord Fu Xi! A message from Lady Aethoné!”

Fu Xi grabs it, his brow furrowing.
“What?”

Gindol leans closer. “What’s happened to the Kingdom of Saints?”

The messenger gulps. “Lady Aethoné writes—the capital has already been destroyed… by the enemy’s strange weapon. But…” his voice steadies, “the demon army retreated. Because someone attacked their stronghold directly.”

The words hit like thunder.

“WHAT!?” Fu Xi’s roar shakes the air.

Madame Luca, who has been silently observing, lowers her fan with a sharp snap.
“A suicide mission, then… but who among them would dare?”

Fu Xi’s jaw tightens. “…I don’t know. But whoever they are… they bought us time. And for that, I owe them thanks.”

The messenger bows again, voice trembling with urgency.
“My lord… Lady Aethoné insists—you did save them. She says her nation owes you a debt.”

Fu Xi blinks, confused.
“…We? We didn’t even have the means to send aid…”

The messenger shakes his head. “She claims she saw it… an airship that flew past them, raining fire.”

A deep, rolling laugh bursts from Anduril, who has been leaning casually against the wall until now.
“BWAHAHAHAHAH!!! That could only be the Skybreaker!!! HAHAHAHAHAH!!”

Fu Xi sighs, rubbing his temples. “…Tch. That reckless hunk of iron actually pulled it off, huh?” He waves dismissively. “Fine. Send her this reply—we’ll talk later.”

But then, without warning, he vaults the battlement like a predator unleashed. His voice booms across the field:
“HEY!!! Don’t hog all the fun up here—leave some for me!!!”

Gindol slaps a palm over his face, exasperated.
“…Lord Fu Xi…”

On the battlefield below—chaos.

The demon ranks waver the moment Fu Xi lands, the impact cracking stone under his boots. His presence alone sends a shockwave of fear through the horde.

One demon soldier gasps, eyes bulging.
“Th-that’s…!!!”

Another drops his weapon, screaming,
“B-Battle Master Fu Xi!!!!”

Panic spreads like wildfire.
“RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!”

Fu Xi cracks his knuckles, eyes blazing with pure exhilaration.
“Ohhh? Running already? Cowards!! Get BACK here!!” He charges into them, his laughter thunderous.
“NOW THIS—THIS IS A BATTLE, EYA!!!!”

Demons scatter, tripping over each other in desperation to flee, but Fu Xi pursues, swinging his weapon with devastating arcs that send bodies flying like ragdolls. Every strike shakes the ground.

From a nearby ridge, Oswald watches, jaw slack.
“You… don’t see that every day…” 😰

Marian groans, burying her face in her hand.
“Jeez… look at them. They’re literally sprinting away like frightened chickens…”

Wildad whistles, impressed.
“Wow. Now that is something. I almost feel sorry for the demons… almost.”

The tide of battle bends, not through strategy or numbers, but by the sheer, terrifying will of one man—Fu Xi, the living storm of war.

Inside the Behemoth—

The metal corridors shake with every step, alarms blaring, steam hissing from broken pipes. Shadows of soldiers and collapsing machinery flash in the red emergency lights.

At last, Kline and Randy burst into the chamber that houses the Behemoth’s heart—the reactor, a throbbing sphere of unstable energy chained by glowing pylons.

Kline whistles low. “So this must be the core…”

Randy grins, wiping sweat from his brow. “Yep. Well? What’s next, genius?”

Kline cracks his knuckles, his eyes gleaming. “Simple. We blow this place sky-high.”

“Finally!!” Randy smirks. The two of them high-five, the slap echoing in the chamber.

With the help of the hulking golems, they set charges across the reactor’s pylons. Sparks fly, runes glow, wires snap.

Kline pauses, his grin mischievous. “What do you think’ll happen when this thing goes off?”

Randy chuckles. “Oh, nothing much. Just the biggest fireworks show this continent’s ever seen.”

The last bomb locks into place, and Randy turns to the golems.
“You know what to do—transform and get us out of here!!”

The golems shift, their stone bodies splitting and reforming into winged forms. Kline and Randy leap onto their backs as the air vibrates with unstable energy.

“Almost at the exit!” Randy shouts over the deafening hum. “Blast it, Kline!!!”

Kline thrusts his hand out, chanting, “Seob gu làidir!!!”

The detonation is instantaneous. The reactor vaporizes in a blinding flash, the explosion swallowing the chamber whole. It cascades into a chain reaction—an unstoppable storm tearing through steel and magic alike.

Outside the battlefield—

The clash of swords and screams suddenly halts as a deafening roar rises from the Behemoth. Soldiers from both sides look up.

“W-what’s that sound!?”
“Look!!!”

A blinding explosion erupts from the massive land-battleship. Towers of fire spiral into the sky as the Behemoth shudders, its armored plates ripping apart.

“Our land battleship!!!”
“Impossible… how could they!?”

From afar, streaks cut through the smoke—Randy carrying Kline, both battered but alive, soaring on the backs of golems that beat their wings furiously against the pressure wave.

The Behemoth collapses in on itself with a thunderous boom, the shockwave flattening soldiers and sending dirt flying for miles.

The demons freeze in horror. Their “invincible weapon” lies in ruins. Morale shatters. The retreat begins.

On the battlefield—

Nyx, still dueling with the heroines, halts mid-swing. She watches the fireball rise, the Behemoth dying with a metal scream. A smirk tugs at her lips.

“Well… looks like that’s my cue.”

With a casual twirl of her staff, she rises into the air.
“See ya.”

“Wait—Nyx!!” Seraphina shouts.
“Don’t you run!!” Luna lunges forward.

But the witch vanishes in a shimmer of violet mist.

Elysia pants, lowering her bow. “…What the heck just happened?”

Elsewhere, at the demon command post—

The retreating army falls into chaos. Verica, still fighting Alfian and Raul, halts in disbelief, eyes widening at the sight of the burning Behemoth.

“Impossible…”

A cold voice cuts through her thoughts.
“Pull back. There’s no point in fighting now.”

Verica snarls. “But if I return empty-handed… the king will—”

Thorgrim steps from the shadows, his tone stern. “The king is already under pressure. He…”

Suddenly, Azrael’s voice echoes in her mind, dark and commanding.
“Return. Everything is proceeding as planned.”

Verica exhales sharply, then bursts into a cruel laugh.
“Hahaha! Very well. You win this battle… but not this war!”

She leaps back, vanishing into the retreating horde.

“Coward!!” Raul shouts after her.
“COME BACK AND FIGHT!!!” Alfian bellows, his fists bloody.

But she’s gone.

Victory cry—

The battlefield quiets. Smoke rises from ruined airships and the broken carcass of the Behemoth. The Skybreaker floats above like a victorious phoenix.

Luna turns, her chest heaving, and sees Fu Xi grinning like a beast.
“We have won!!!”

The shout spreads like wildfire.
“We did it!!!”
“We pushed them back!!!”

The cry of victory thunders across the warfront.

Onboard the Skybreaker—

Randy and Kline stagger onto the deck, covered in soot, their hair a mess.

Elowen spins, eyes wide. “You’re back!!”

“Yeah, and in one piece!” Kline laughs nervously.

“More or less,” Randy mutters.

Before they can say more, Elowen pulls them both into a tight hug.
“I’m just glad you came back alive…”

Randy blinks, a little stunned. In his heart, Elowen feels less like a commander—and more like the big sister he never had.
“…Yeah. Thanks.”

Kline, of course, breaks the moment with a smug grin.
“Heh! Told ya we were going big!!”

Elowen chuckles, shaking her head. “Whatever you say…”

But suddenly—“Raaandyyyy!!!”

Harmonia tackles him in a flying hug, nearly knocking him over.
“Y-You’re alive!!! We won!!!”

“Uhh—yeah—! All good—!” Randy flails awkwardly, face red.

Across the deck, Seraphina waves at them from the railing.

On the ground—

Elysia watches the Skybreaker hover above. “Looks like we finally did it…”

“Yeah,” Seraphina nods, lowering her sword.

“…Where’s Randy?” Luna asks.

From the ship above—

“Oi!! Get off me already!!!” Randy’s voice echoes.

“Come on!! Just let me hug you more!!” Harmonia chases him across the deck, arms outstretched.

“KIEEEEEE!!! WHY DON’T YOU HUG KLINE INSTEAD!?” Randy yells, vaulting over a crate.

“BYE!!!” Harmonia ignores him completely.

The girls below exchange glances as Kline suddenly faceplants with a groan.

“What happened to him?” Seraphina blinks.

“Jeez… she’s just shy,” Kline mutters, staggering back to his feet. Then he spots them.
“HEY!! Seraphina!!” He waves frantically.

“Okay, what happened up there?” Seraphina calls back.

“Oi!! Land this thing already!!”

The Skybreaker descends, creaking as it lowers. Randy leaps off mid-descent, still sprinting for his life.

“GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!” he yells, barreling past soldiers.

Behind him, Harmonia shrieks, her voice high and piercing, “You promised you’d stay with meeee!!!”

“WHATEVER!!!” Randy howls, zig-zagging across the deck like a panicked fox, arms flailing.

Luna and Elysia exchange bewildered glances, eyebrows shooting sky-high.
“Ummm… who is that?” Luna asks, tilting her head.

“That’s Harmonia,” Seraphina explains dryly, arms crossed. “She’s the… new member of the party.”

i ducks behind crates, trying to avoid her outstretched arms, while Harmonia gleefully sprints after him. Kline trails behind, shaking his head with a resigned sigh.

“Hey!! Harmonia! Randy’s shy! Why don’t you hug me instead?” Kline pipes up, hands raised defensively.

Before he can react, Harmonia swings around and smacks him in a tight hug, leaving him reeling—her low blow making him crash to the deck.

“Wha—what the heck was that for!?” Kline groans, rolling onto his side.

“Bleh! Not until I’ve got Randy!!” Harmonia declares, eyes sparkling mischievously.

Yikes. She’s scary.

I seizes the moment and dives toward Elowen, panting and red-faced.

Elowen smirks, folding her arms. “So… what do you think of me?”

I blinks, still catching his breath. “…A wall. A wall against this kind of crazy girl.”

“Huh… Harmonia?” Elowen raises an eyebrow.

“Yes!!” Harmonia nods enthusiastically, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“Stay…” Elowen orders, almost like a drill sergeant.

“…Okay!!” Harmonia salutes, tilting her head. Is she a dog? Randy thinks, dumbfounded.

Kline struggles to his feet, dusting himself off, and the group finally gathers together on the deck.

“Hey!!! We won!!” Luna cheers, spinning lightly on her heels.

“Yeah…” I mutters, trying to recover my dignity.

“Alright, we’re not yet acquainted,” Luna says, grinning. “I’m Luna… and you are?”

“Me!? I’m… Harmonia!” she chimes, throwing her arms wide, her cheerful smile practically glowing.

Before anyone can react, Oswald leaps forward, chest puffed, eyes sparkling like a true gentleman.
“Ah… a beauty of the battlefield…”

Before anyone can warn him, he presses a chaste kiss to her arm.

“Ooo… NOT!!!” Harmonia yells, and delivers a swift kick to his balls, sending him collapsing in a heap. The surrounding guys groan and curl up protectively.

“Yikes…” they mutter in unison.

Fu Xi can’t contain himself, laughter booming across the deck.

Harmonia, ignoring the chaos, turns to Randy and points a finger at him dramatically.
“I’m Randy’s partner!! And we are a couple!!!”

The declaration hits like a cannonball, leaving a wake of shocked faces, comedic rage, and sheer disbelief.

me, meanwhile, throws my hands in the air and groans, “Y-You guys… I’m doomed…”

Harmonia bounces happily beside me, clearly oblivious to the social apocalypse she just caused.